Sammanfattning
Background: Many old people end their lives in nursing homes.
Integrated care plans for end of life care is disputed by different
professions. Most nursing home residents in Norway have a
dementia diagnosis accompanied by communication difficulties.
This is causing especially challenges related to justifiable
end of life decisions.
Method: In spring 2014 it was conducted a questionnaire study
with purpose to map staff experiences in vocational and ethical
challenges related to end of life care for nursing home patients.
Descriptive statistics were used.
Results: The results showed that more than half of the
respondents report that conversations about existential/
spiritual needs are conducted. Half of the respondents
report that there is available time for vocational reflection,
and most of the respondents report that they work actively
with resolving problems to achieve good symptoms relief.
The results showed that 41% of the respondents report
that it is challenging to assess whether the patient is dying.
Most the respondents report that palliative measures are
considered.
Conclusion: The study clarifies challenges related to end of
life care for nursing home patients.